February 27, 2009

Per Reuters, "Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, speaking after it emerged that a Russian bomber had flown toward Canada before U.S. President Barack Obama visited last week, said on Friday he was deeply worried about Moscow's 'increasingly aggressive' actions."

A Russian bomber neared Canadian airspace less than 24 hours before Obama's visit, but it did turn back when it was asked to, according to the article.

Russian News and Information Agency Novosti published a story today noting that a government source in Russia was astonished by the accusation, adding that it was nothing more than a "routine flight."

No tweets about this developing story could be found in Russia as of this post, in English or Russian, except for a tweet from the media outlet mentioned earlier (@RIA_Novosti) which linked to the story on its Web site.

Per CNN, a Washington think tank has suggested that President Barack Obama re-establish relations with Cuba. The group—made up of 19 academics, opinion leaders and diplomats—proposed lifting travel restrictions to Cuba, allowing U.S. residents to send money to people in Cuba and enabling Cubans to travel in the U.S. under certain requirements, according to the article.

Per RTE, Irish-based low-cost airline Ryanair is considering charging passengers to use on-board toilets. The potential move comes as the airline looks at new ways to cut costs and generate extra revenue. Last week, Ryanair announced it would close all traditional check-in desks, making passengers check-in online or at airport kiosks instead.

Twitter users have been quick to deride the plan. In searches on Friday, comments in favor of charging to use toilets on Ryanair flights could not easily be found.

@99luftaballoons(Rio de Janeiro) Will Ryan Air start charging for use of a defibrillator as well?

@_sivanath(Silcon Valley, USA) I wudn't want to fly long distance on Ryan Air bit.ly/dpwz3 But love to see how they handle folks who don't want to spend extra -:)

@julescyprus(Cyprus) Ryan air charging a pound for a penny??? IF i ever flew them... NOT.. Y NOT book a seat in the loo for journey!! yes a (cheap airfare)

@dpkamoen(Los Angeles, USA) just read that Ryan Air wants to charge passengers 1 Euro for each visit to the toilet on flights. How much for a barf bag?

Per CBS News, tens of thousands of high school and college-age Americans looking forward to spring break may have to postpone their travel plans. Schools and universities across the nation are urging their student bodies not to travel to Mexico due to the escalating violence among the nation's drug cartels.

Per BBC Scotland, the former chief of the Royal Bank of Scotland Sir Fred Goodwin is refusing to give up his £16 million ($22.6 million) pension, despite his company posting record losses of £24 billion ($34 billion) and receiving a multi-billion dollar bailout from the British Government.

The story is headline news at all the Scottish newspaper websites. Edinburgh's The Scotsman reports that the former bank boss is "defiant" about giving up any of his pension. Meanwhile The Glasgow Herald uses video interviews to tell the story and Aberdeen's Press & Journal claims that Sir Fred is "furious" details of his pension plan have been leaked to the media.

Here's what Twitter users have to say on the subject - including news that Sir Fred Goodwin might himself be on Twitter:

Per BBC, former Serbian President Milan Milutinovic has been acquitted of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a UN war crimes tribunal.

While Milutinovic was acquitted, five former top Serbian officals were convicted on some or all of the charges they faced resulting from a 1990s conflict, according to BBC. The sentences for those convicted range from 15 to 22 years, per the article.

A twitterer in Kosovo called the ruling a "Big victory."

@arianitd (Kosovo): Serb president not guilty. But 5 other members of the state criminal enterprise guilty. Big victory for Kosovo. Civil case next?

Other tweets from Europe and elsewhere demonstrated a sense of surprise.

Per the AP: America will try to end Iran's nuclear ambitions and its "support for terrorism," the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. said. Ambassador Susan Rice made the remark at a Security Council meeting, prompting a sharp rebuke from Iranian envoy Mohammad Khazee.

Khazee maintained the position that they seeks nuclear power for peaceful use only, and said the accusation that they support terrorism is "baseless and absurd." Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said he would welcome talks with President Obama on a basis of mutual respect.

Meanwhile, AFP reported that European powers are considering sanctions on any parties connected to Iran's nuclear program.

One Twitterer pointed to Iran's accusation that Obama's government "sounds like Bush."